finishing of welds.

[marlow]

We have had to have some welding done in the engine bay. I was after some advice on how best to finish off the welds before i spray. I was thinking of swipeing over with some fibre glass filler then leveling with some body filler.
Was then unsure if this might be a fire hazard near a hot engine (paranoia setting in) Any help and advice appreciated.

[Metalflakedave]

http://forums.volksworld.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=298&d=1235764805

No mate, no fire hazard with body filler under paint. If you have a lot of height difference between your surfaces you can use chopped strand (fibreglass and resin in a tin) to get the rough shape and then use body filler to finish the surface ready to prime and then paint. If paint is not a fire hazard in the engine bay then filler / fibreglass sure isn't. You would be best to grind down your welds (as flat as you can) so that they are flat against the new metal and then you have less height to build up and thus you have a thinner skim of filler and so it will not have as much chance of cracking with the heat etc.

Dave

[marlow]

Thanks for the advice. I will be busy on the van on sunday.

[NickJ]

Yes just to agree with Dave and to say try a flap disc in your grinder rather than a grinding disc as it is much gentler and leaves a nice smooth finish you may then only need the thinnest skim of filler.

[Toxic]

Blu Tack, or even better, chewing gum :D

Just kidding! ;)

I agree with NickJ, a flap disc is much better on welds than a grinding disc. It's what I've been using on all mine :thumbs:

[Project "Das Bug"]

As has already been said, just dress then welds back and then if needs be a thin skim of filler over the area and rub it back before the paint goes on. Just remember to try and make sure you treat the back of that repair with some waxoil or similiar too else you will be redoing it in 12 months!

[Albie3]

I'd crank up a compressor and blast that area clean first. A small one will do but it will take longer.

[Metalflakedave]

I'd crank up a compressor and blast that area clean first. A small one will do but it will take longer.

Blast the area clean????:eek:

Clean of dust?:confused:

Compressor air isn't usually strong enough to clean up the metal any other way!?

[65deluxe]

A flap disc would be best but be careful - if you go too flat and the areas are butt welded and not very flat you will get rid of good metal and leave the panel very thin - this will then need welding again

[Toxic]

A flap disc would be best but be careful - if you go too flat and the areas are butt welded and not very flat you will get rid of good metal and leave the panel very thin - this will then need welding again

That's one of the reasons for using a flap disc, more control over the amount you're 'taking off', rather than a grinding disc which will sometimes destroy the weld

Or maybe that's just due to my bad welding ;)

[NickJ]

A flap disc would be best but be careful - if you go too flat and the areas are butt welded and not very flat you will get rid of good metal and leave the panel very thin - this will then need welding again
Yep been there done that :o